In the late 1990s, Linda D’Aviro and Linda Litehiser — neighborhood activists who are collectively known as “The Lindas” — wondered why the amphitheater in San Francisco’s McLaren Park was never used.

“I couldn’t believe how empty it was. It was so sad,” said Litehiser, a resident of the Mission Terrace neighborhood, recalling how in the 1980s-90s, the theater was largely abandoned and had rotting benches.

Today, the venue is brimming with music, celebrating its fourth annual “Saturday in the Park” concert series on weekends through Oct. 22.

Having put in thousands of volunteer hours over more than a decade to help revitalize the venue, D’Aviro and Litehiser are pleased with their grassroots success in bringing people and music to the theater, which hosts Cocker Power, a Joe Cocker tribute band, headlining Saturday’s show.

But they still have more to do.

“We are ladies in our golden years. We need to take this to the next level,” said D’Aviro, who has lived in Crocker Amazon since 1989, and, along with Litehiser, are Friends of the Amphitheater’s most active members.

The women — who have written “their fair share of grants” and still do everything from cutting checks to storing tents in their garages — obtained $30,000 to fund the concerts. Support comes from corporate sponsor Airbnb, as well as the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department and San Francisco Parks Alliance.

Their goal is to set up a foundation, similar to the one supporting Stern Grove’s free concerts, to keep their program sustainable.

After looking at models from all over the country, they’ve conquered many initial hurdles, including safety.

“The challenge of the amphitheater is that it’s in a bucolic setting. You can’t see it from any road,” said Litehiser.

Working with police at the Ingleside Station and parks advocates, they fashioned a security program that volunteers can execute, which addresses the potentially dangerous five-to-10-minute walk from the parking lot to the 750-seat theater.

They’ve also helped other organizations, including the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival and the San Francisco Mime Troupe, navigate the “daunting” permitting process required to use the theater.

Among their early triumphs was their role in naming the facility the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater in 2005 (the late Grateful Dead leader was born and raised in the Excelsior) at a bash with then-Mayor Gavin Newsom, Jefferson Starship and Wavy Gravy. It was two years after Friends of McLaren Park hosted the first “Jerry Day,” an event designed to bring neighbors to the 318-acre park and theater.

More recent renovations include four handicapped parking spots, improvements to the seating and stage, and the park’s first restrooms.

With more stable funding, plans include increasing lighting and landscaping to accommodate booths, food trucks and “other amenities you take for granted when you go to a concert,” D’Aviro said.

Perhaps the advocates are most proud to present local musicians playing many genres. “We’ve done everything from big band and the Great American Songbook to Bollywood and Celtic Dead music,” D’Aviro added.

They also point to the upcoming “great, fourth annual” blues show (in the mid-1970s, the theater was home to blues festivals) and extensive programs for young kids, including a popular September show with a stroller corral rather than bicycle parking.

Most importantly, they want to continue to get the word out to those still unaware of the extraordinary natural area in their neighborhood.

“We don’t need to make sure that somebody from the Marina knows about it, but do for someone who lives five blocks away,” Litehiser said, admitting that public transit to the theater is difficult even for people living nearby.

“People who have never gone to a concert before often go on a hike afterward,” said Litehiser, referring to the trails, views, picnic grounds, lake and reservoir in the park, which is “like the wild, west end of Golden Gate Park.”

Enjoying the customer service aspect of her many volunteer duties, D’Aviro said, “We welcome people. It’s really about joy and happiness.”

Both of “The Lindas,” as they have come to be known, added: “What it’s all about is to come and spend the day with us; it’s really a wonderful place.”

1927 – SF Board of Supervisors, SF Park Superintendent, staff & others host a celebration dedicating park to John McLaren, the city’s Superintendent of Parks; hundreds of new trees had already been planted to transform the landscape

1939 – WPA work force completes installation of a long system of foot paths, hiking, fire, and equestrian trails, culverts, roadways and view drive. Also completes the planting of over 10,000 trees of the eucalyptus, cypress and pine varieties

2010 – December – F.A.C.E. sets meeting dates with Neighborhood Parks Council/NPC to discuss fiscal sponsorship of new umbrella group of neighbors and McLaren Park groups called the “McLaren Park Council”

Coming back for their 4th year of successful free afternoon concerts, Friends of the AMP (Jerry Garcia Amphitheater in McLaren Park) announces 6 FREE outdoor concerts dates for the 2016 Saturday in the Park – McLaren music festival.

The Festival’s 6 shows run from August 20th to October 22nd and, as in past years, offer music appealing to all ages and musical tastes, from salsa to blue bluegrass, rock, souland more. The outdoor concerts also welcome back locals and fans of the bands, and introduce new concertgoers to San Francisco’s 2nd largest and natural park, the 318-acre John McLaren Park.

Friends of the AMP have been working closely with San Francisco Recreation and Parks to add new signage, repave the (free!) parking lot, and for dancing, a new smooth surface in front of the sta

August 20 – Percussionist Louie Romero y Mazacote kicks the Festival in gear at the first show with dancer-friendly blends of Salsa, Cha-Cha, Timba, Cuban Guajira and Puerto Rican Bomba. Added to the lineup is Alfonso Lopez performing songs encompassing many different styles of music from around the globe.

September 10 – The 4th Annual Kid’s’ Festival – Featuring The Not-Its,JAM withCharity Kahn, Tree Frog Treks, The Exploratorium, plus magic shows and nature programs, There will be 4 Hours (11am- 3pm) of art, music, magic, science, hikes and dance and much more. Fun for the whole family to enjoy.

October 8 – Let the Good TimesRock’n Roll Show! Four virtuoso bands of great musicians will take you on a three and a half hour ride of dance and sing-along music when we welcome Cocker Power –A Joe Cocker Tribute Band, guitarist Lindsey Boullt, Pucci and the Pups band and Big Rain– a Rockin’ Country and Blues group.

October 15 – In mid-October we welcome back, by popular demand, a non-stop three hours of new and traditional tunes sung and played by several of our local troubadours at The Bluegrass Festival. The Bluegrass Festival is a non-stop afternoon of new and traditional tunes sung and played by The Back Porch Band, The Beauty Operators String Band, Canyon Johnson and The Windy Hill Bluegrass Band.

October 22 – The Blues Show – our season finale concert once again offers a great lineup of local bay area blues performers, including the dynamic Tia Carroll and Bobbie “Spider” Webb. This final show also celebrates the 45th anniversary of the Amphitheater with the annual Saturday in the Park Amphitheater Birthday Party.

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Today’s workday went extremely well even with an extremely thin crew (7 folks which included one beautiful 6 months pregnant lady!) We got the new playground in ship shape by taking down all the weeds and sweeping the rubber surfaces and paths nearby. All the bark was spread evenly again on the landscaped areas and then we were off to the Gambier Plaza to take on the weeds around the fountain and cut back the crab grass that’s slowly starting to encroach on the plaza. As if that wasn’t enough, my magic hardworking crew still had enough energy to move large amounts of wood that gardener Ken Kelley was clearing from the old Cyprus trees at the Harvard street entrance. Please see the piles of wood for yourselves. By this time we were all quite exhausted and we were unable to continue our efforts on Harvard Street but there was so much to show for our hard work.

Two of “Seven”

Thank you again so much to those who came out on a weekday, even during a world cup event. It goes to show, all it takes is 7 folks to make magic happen in McLaren Park.

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Upcoming Events - Overview

Free Guided Trail Hike with Healthy Parks, Healthy PeopleDecember 17, 2016 at 10:00 am – 12:00 pmMcLaren Park at University & MansellJoin us for a walk through McLaren Park, San Francisco’s second largest park. The walk starts with light stretching, followed by a guided walk through groves of redwoods and cypress trees. This walk is moderately strenuous yet all will be rewarded with an amazing view of San Francisco. Meet by the McLaren Park sign next…